Earth day is a once a year reminder that we only have one earth, and if we do not take care of it, we have no one to blame but ourselves for destroying all that sustains us.

It was created in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a US senator, who wanted to bring awareness of environmental issues to the general public. Americans, at the time, oblivious to the fact that most air, water, soil, etc. pollution problems were directly related to our wasteful intrusive lifestyles.

That year a few environmental acts were passed in the white house, most notably was the clean air act, and since then the green movement has become a mainstream concern.

The date for Earth Day has always been April 22, although Margret Mead, the anthropologist, thought the vernal equinox was a better date. It is not considered a national holiday, and this year it falls on a Tuesday so celebrations for it will fall on the surrounding weekends.

Here are some events local to the South Bay:

Earth Day Celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

April 26th and 27th (a booth and display event).

Inglewood Rising: Earth Day 2014 at the Inglewood City Hall Community center.

April 19th, 10am to 3pm (an indoor event).

Earth Day Celebration with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land conservancy at White Point Nature Preserve.

April 19th, 9 to noon. (mostly hands on Volunteer work).

Save the Grotto at Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum in Compton.

April 19th, 10-2. (hands on clean up).

Earth Day Recycling Event at the Toyota employee parking lot on Toyota way in Torrance.

April 19th, 8-noon. ( it's a drop off for all disposable paper, electronics, clothing and oil).

Madrona Marsh Earth Day Event in Torrance.

April 19th, 8:30 to noon (unspecified event).

These all can be found online, and most of these events are free.

This year Earth Day and Arbor Day fall on the same week, but both are equally important days. And, these days should not be the only days to be aware of the environment, everyday should be lived with awareness of the mark we leave behind.

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Julie Quinn is a Torrance native that spent her life focusing on the environment and how to make small lifestyle changes to her impact on the world. Julie has a bachelor's degree in Geography with a focus on natural resources and climate. She has also been a member of Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, who communicate with representative in politics and petition to protect the environment in any way they can.